Searching for an Appropriate and Safe Residential Community

• By: Carolann Garafola, MA Mt. Bethel Village
• July 1st, 2013
• adult autism support, caregiver decision-making, employment, housing, independent living, nutrition, Residential housing, safety, safety in housing, sibling caregiving, staffing and support services, transition to adulthood
• 2047    0

As the adult population with ASD grows and their parents age, the primary concerns of the parents or guardians are: Where will my son or daughter live when I am not here? Where can my adult/child live even in a semi-independent community setting? Who will be responsible for managing the over-sight...

Selecting Quality Residential Services for Adults with ASD

• By: Kay Brown, LISWS Jan Cline, MS, CCC-SLP Christine Keran, BA Donna Owens, MA Andie Ryley, Med Ellen Williams, PhD State of Ohio Adult Service Quality Indicators Work Group
• July 1st, 2013
• autism services evaluation, family decision-making, housing, independent living support, quality of care, residential services, safety and well-being, staff training, transition to adulthood
• 2022    0

There has been much discussion about bridging the gap between school services to adult services for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Families might experience this transition as a leap into the unknown. The daunting task of finding quality services for individuals with ASD is a cradle...

Summer Offers Opportunity for Skill Development for Children and Young Adults with ASD

• By: Mike Kunin, MA Jennifer Buri da Cunha, MA Johanna Kinsley, MPA Ramapo for Children
• July 1st, 2013
• camp, independent living, relationships, residential programs, self-confidence, skill development, social skills, summer camp, transition to adulthood
• 2019    0

Summer can be a perfect time for children and young adults to leave their everyday environments and discover new opportunities for skill development. Yet parents of children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) often struggle with the idea of immersing their child in a new...

Taking Learning Out of the Clinic and Into the Community

• By: Samara P. Tetenbaum, PhD Monica Arevalo, BS ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development
• July 1st, 2013
• community-based learning, executive functioning, independent living skills, life skills training, skill generalization, social skills development, youth and young adults
• 1868    0

When working with youth and young adults on the autism spectrum, professionals and parents are often faced with the daunting task of teaching life skills. These skills can include grocery shopping, stranger awareness, everyday cleaning, and self-care. Youth and young adults often need to be taught...

The Creation of a Model Independent Living Program: The POINT Program of White Plains, NY

• By: Ellen Forrest
• July 1st, 2013
• community integration, disability services, employment, family advocacy, independent living, supported housing, transition to adulthood, vocational support
• 3447    0

One of the most perilous times in the lives of young adults on the spectrum is the transition from the stability and structure of school to lives away from their parents’ homes - lives with as much independence as possible. I know this road well because I am the mother of a young man with an...

Affordable Housing Advocacy: An Approach to Success

• By: Mary K. Meyer, BA ASPEN - NJ Adult Issues North Chapter
• July 1st, 2013
• adults, affordable housing, community integration, disability support services, housing advocacy, independent living, public policy, transition to adulthood
• 1874    0

The question that keeps ASD parents awake at night: “Where will he/she live when I am no longer able to provide a home?” Questions and emotions swirl around whenever housing is the topic of any discussion: “It’s scary.” “It’s complicated.” “There are so many factors to...

Summer Bridge Programs: Opportunities to Maximize Transition Success

• By: Ernst VanBergeijk, PhD, MSW New York Institute of Technology Vocational Independence Program
• April 1st, 2013
• college readiness, communal living, independent living skills, parent support, post-secondary transition, summer, summer bridge programs, vocational skills
• 2571    0

Summer is right around the corner. Every year parents are faced with the same dilemma regarding what to do with their child on the autism spectrum while school is not in session. There are a variety of activities a child could engage in. The problem is finding the right one that suits your...

Summer Programs for Adolescents and Young Adults

• By: Alissa Daner, MSEd Marty McGreevy, MEd Samantha Curiale-Feinman, MSEd, TSHH New Frontiers in Learning
• April 1st, 2013
• college readiness, community engagement, executive functioning, independent living skills, self-advocacy, social skills, students, summer programs, transition skills
• 4880    0

Summer vacation is a time ripe with opportunities for growth – a time to catch-up on academic learning, strengthen executive functioning, and improve social and communication competence. Opportunities abound during the summer months to engage in learning outside of the traditional classroom by...

Summer Vacation: A Prime Opportunity to Develop Social Skills for the Workplace

• By: Katherine Cody, PsyD Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
• April 1st, 2013
• communication skills, emotional regulation, employment readiness, perspective taking, Social Thinking, summer, transition to adulthood, workplace relationships, workplace social skills
• 2160    0

For many students, the end of the school year represents a time to relax, celebrate the change of pace, and enjoy leisure time. However, each year, there are many individuals who approach the end of the school year and find that this is a time of transition; a time for entering the unfamiliar world...

Using Summer Vacation to Build College Readiness Skills

• By: Ronni Aronow MA, MS Spectrum Services
• April 1st, 2013
• budgeting skills, college transition, communication skills, executive functioning, independent living skills, planning, self-advocacy, stress management, summer, time management, transition
• 1879    0

Heading to college in the fall? Summer vacation is the perfect opportunity to work on the skills you’ll need to succeed in college. Whether it’s understanding the way your disability affects you, navigating new environments, using an ATM machine, making your own doctor’s appointments, or...